NEW WILMINGTON — The Westminster College football team is about to get a big dose of Butler County.

Five players — Mars’ Billy Shrock, Joe Grice and Jackson Mettus, Seneca Valley’s Tyler Bommer and Freeport’s Dustin Koedel — have all made a verbal commitment to attend the Division III school.

The Titans are coming off a 3-6 season. Head coach Jeff Hand is excited about the quintet of incoming freshmen.

“We are looking to take the next step,” said Hand. “While this class is not as big in numbers as those we’ve had in the past, the talent level is up.”

The trio from Mars will fill several roles at Westminster. Shrock was recruited as an outside linebacker and Mettus (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) as a defensive end. Grice will play on the offensive line.

“They all got a lot of experience the last few years,” said Planets coach Scott Heinauer. “Westminster will be happy to bring in kids who are so dedicated. They are very smart players.”

Shrock started at outside linebacker for the Planets the last three seasons, leading the team in tackles as a senior and was named the squad’s defensive MVP.

“Westminster has a lot of returning seniors and they will be helpful,” he said. “Anytime you move up a level, you are going to have to work harder. Hopefully, I will put myself in a position to succeed and possibly get playing time as a freshman.”

Mettus is looking forward to seeing a couple of familiar faces once football camp starts in August.

“I’ll be playing alongside Billy on defense and we’ll be going up against Joe in practice,” he said. “All three of us will be rooming together.

“I just want to contribute as early as I can.”

Grice (6-1, 285) could see a position switch in college.

“I played left tackle my junior and senior years in high school,” he said, “but I may be switched to guard. Westminster likes to pull and trap their guards and I can do that. I know the speed of the game will be different, but as long as I put the work in this summer, I think I will be ready for that challenge.”

Bommer suffered a knee injury late in his senior season that kept him from wrestling over the winter, but he is now healed and ready to contribute as a defensive back.

“I went to physical therapy and now I don’t feel any effects from the injury,” Bommer said. “I loved the campus (at Westminster). It’s out in the middle of nowhere and I like that.”

SV coach Don Holl sees a lot to like in Bommer’s game.

“Pound for pound, he is such a strong kid,” said Holl. “It’s what you expect from a kid with a wrestling background. He also has excellent speed and is an outstanding tackler.”

Koedel did a little bit of everything for Freeport last fall, playing both cornerback and safety on defense, wide receiver on offense and also handling the team’s punting and kick returning duties.

“He’s a student of the game,” said Yellowjackets’ coach John Gaillot. “On defense, he’s very good in coverage and can play man-to-man and bump-and-run effectively.”

The Titans believe they can use Koedel at any spot in the defensive backfield.

“I visited Westminster in the spring,” Koedel said. “I got good vibes from the players and coaches. I believe the program has great potential.”